Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy Infrastructure Improvement Plan Final Version 1 October 2010 Produced by Local Transport Projects Ltd on behalf of Oldham Council Infrastructure Improvement Plan (IIP) Contents 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 4 1.1 Background ..................................................................................................... 4 1.2 SMoTS Objectives ........................................................................................... 4 1.3 Development of the Infrastructure Improvement Plan (IIP) ............................... 5 2 Assessment of Pupil Travel and Transport Needs/Audit of Sustainable Travel and Transport Infrastructure ........................................................................................... 6 2.1 Role of the Assessment and Audit ................................................................... 6 3 Pedestrian Journeys............................................................................................ 8 3.1 Barriers to Walking to School ........................................................................... 8 3.2 Potential Improvements ................................................................................... 9 4 Cycle Journeys .................................................................................................. 11 4.1 Barriers to Cycling to School .......................................................................... 11 4.2 Potential Improvements ................................................................................. 12 5 Public Transport Journeys ................................................................................. 13 5.1 Barriers to Using Public Transport for the Journey to School ......................... 13 5.2 Potential Improvements ................................................................................. 14 6 Managing Car Use ............................................................................................ 15 6.1 Methods of Managing Car Use ...................................................................... 15 6.2 Barriers to Managing Car Use ....................................................................... 15 6.3 Potential Improvements ................................................................................. 15 7 IIP Action Plan ................................................................................................... 17 7.1 Scope ............................................................................................................ 17 7.2 Relevant Current and Planned Complementary Activities .............................. 17 7.3 Key Delivery Issues ....................................................................................... 19 7.4 Criteria for Prioritising Schemes ..................................................................... 19 7.5 Priority Schools .............................................................................................. 20 7.6 Priority Oldham-Wide Actions ........................................................................ 21 7.7 Responsibility for Delivery/Summary of Measures ......................................... 22 7.8 Programme .................................................................................................... 22 8 Example School SMoTS Targets and Actions ................................................... 25 8.1 Developing Targets ........................................................................................ 25 8.2 Developing a School Action Plan ................................................................... 26 9 Consultation ...................................................................................................... 28 10 Summary ........................................................................................................... 29 10.1 Infrastructure Improvement Plan (IIP) ............................................................ 29 10.2 General Recommendations ........................................................................... 29 11 References ........................................................................................................ 31 Page 2 Infrastructure Improvement Plan 13/10/2010 Appendices Appendix 1 – Options for Prioritising Actions Appendix 2 – School Prioritisation Methodology Appendix 3 – Priority School List Appendix 4 – Typical Actions Appendix 5 – List of Key Issues at Each School Appendix 6 – Audit Reports and Maps for Bare Trees Primary School Tables Table 1: Barriers to Sustainable Travel Identified from School Travel Plans .................. 6 Table 2: Priority Schools 2010-11 ................................................................................ 21 Table 3: IIP. Programme for Implementation, 2010-11 Priority School ......................... 22 Table 4: IIP. Programme for Implementation Beyond 2010-11 Financial Year ............. 23 Table 5: Suggested SMoTS Targets for Bare Trees Primary School ............................ 25 Table 6: Suggested SMoTS Action Plan for Bare Trees Primary School ...................... 27 Figures Figure 1: Key Accessibility Issues/Barriers to Sustainable Travel .................................. 7 Figure 2: Walking Promotions in Oldham Schools ......................................................... 9 Figure 3: Cycling Promotions in Oldham Schools ........................................................ 11 Figure 4: Public Transport Promotions in Oldham Schools .......................................... 13 Figure 5: School Survey Questionnaire ........................................................................ 28 Page 3 Infrastructure Improvement Plan 13/10/2010 1 Introduction 1.1 Background 1.1.1 The Education and Inspections Act 2006 (DCSF, 2006) requires local authorities to produce a Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy (SMoTS) for journeys to school and to update this strategy each year. Local Transport Projects Ltd has been commissioned by Oldham Council to produce a strategy for inclusion on the Council’s website. This report outlines initiatives to improve Oldham’s sustainable school travel infrastructure and forms part of the Council’s overall SMoTS. 1.1.2 The results of the ‘Assessment of Pupil Travel and Transport Needs’ and the ‘Audit of Sustainable Travel Infrastructure’, including the gaps and barriers identified, form the basis of this strategy for improving the sustainable transport infrastructure so that it better meets the needs of children and young people in Oldham. This ‘Infrastructure Improvement Plan’ (IIP) considers both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ measures and includes an Action Plan to guide infrastructure improvement, with an outline methodology for prioritising initiatives to provide value for money and effective modal shift. 1.2 SMoTS Objectives 1.2.1 Section 508A of the Education and Inspections Act (2006) came into force on 1 April 2007 and places a general duty on local authorities to promote the use of sustainable travel and transport. There are four main elements to this duty: • An assessment of pupil travel and transport needs , based largely around data collected as part of School Travel Plans; • An audit of the sustainable travel and transport infrastructure to, from and between schools, colleges and other educational placements; • A strategy to develop sustainable travel and transport infrastructure within the authority to ensure that the needs of children are being catered for; and • The promotion of sustainable travel and transport modes for school journeys. 1.2.2 A key objective of the SMoTS is to reduce the proportion of school journeys made by private car/taxi in line with the national LTP4 sustainable travel indicator (DfT, 2006) and to contribute to National Indicator NI 198 (Children Travelling to School – Mode of Transport Usually Used). Page 4 Infrastructure Improvement Plan 13/10/2010 1.3 Development of the Infrastructure Improvement Plan (IIP) 1.3.1 This IIP has been developed using the information collected and analysed in the Assessment of Pupil Travel and Transport Needs (LTP, 2010a) and the Audit of Sustainable Travel and Transport Infrastructure (LTP, 2010b). 1.3.2 This IIP includes the following outputs: • A methodology for developing options and prioritising actions; • Criteria for prioritising schools/measures; • A prioritised list of schools; • A list of sustainable transport issues at Oldham schools; • An Overall Action Plan/programme; • A ‘toolbox’ of typical sustainable transport actions; and • A pilot individual school SMoTS for the highest priority school. Page 5 Infrastructure Improvement Plan 13/10/2010 2 Assessment of Pupil Travel and Transport Needs/Audit of Sustainable Travel and Transport Infrastructure 2.1 Role of the Assessment and Audit 2.1.1 The Assessment of Pupil Travel and Transport Needs forms the basis for development of the SMoTS, providing an analysis of existing travel patterns, identifying barriers to sustainable choices and the potential for shift to sustainable travel options. 2.1.2 The Assessment was based on a review of existing School Travel Plans, an on- line survey sent to all eligible educational establishments in Oldham, a review of existing policies and consultation with stakeholders. 2.1.3 Table 1 shows the key findings from the review of existing school travel plans, illustrating barriers to sustainable travel choices. Table 1: Barriers to Sustainable Travel Identified